A 39-year-old award-winning radio presenter from Durban has emerged as the unlikely leader of March-on-March, the anti-immigrant group behind the latest wave of attacks targeting African nationals across South Africa.

South Africans are currently up in arms, demonstrating and demanding that other African nationals who are in their country “illegally” leave because they are “stealing” jobs meant for their people.

These protests have resulted in violent confrontations with foreign nationals from across the continent, including Ghanaians and Nigerians, who are often brutalised and have their businesses vandalised.

The protests have also been captured driving foreign nationals out of South African public schools and health facilities.

But who is behind these protests, which have happened almost every year for the past decade? The answer is Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, a 39-year-old mother, media personality, and the founder of an anti-illegal immigrant group called March-on-March.

From Radio Studio to Political Activism

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma is a radio presenter based in Durban, best known for hosting “The Cruise” on Vuma FM. Her broadcasting career spans multiple stations, including Vibe FM, Inanda FM, and Gagasi FM. In 2020, she won the Best Female Radio Presenter award at the KZN Entertainment Awards — a testament to her influence and reach in South African media.

Yet it is not her radio work that has brought her international attention. In 2024, Ngobese-Zuma established March-on-March, a group created to “bring some spotlight to the issue of illegal immigration in South Africa” and to demand that South African citizens be prioritised in healthcare and public services.

Since its founding, March-on-March has grown from a local advocacy group into a national movement, organising protests that have drawn condemnation from leaders across the African continent, who describe the attacks as either “xenophobia” or “afrophobia”.

The Group’s Demands

Ngobese-Zuma’s March-on-March is currently advocating for three core policy objectives:

1. Enhanced Border Control and Immigration Enforcement
The group is demanding stricter enforcement of immigration regulations in South Africa, which it says is necessary to protect national security and ensure fair resource allocation.

2. Job Prioritisation for South African Citizens
March-on-March is fighting for policies that prioritise South African citizens in job markets and ensure fair employment opportunities without unfair competition from undocumented workers — a direct response to longstanding grievances about foreign nationals “stealing jobs.”

3. Protection of Public Services
The group is campaigning to ensure that public services — healthcare, education, and social benefits — remain accessible to South African citizens without being strained by undocumented migration.

‘We Are Not Xenophobic’

In a recent interview, Ngobese-Zuma forcefully refuted assertions that the actions of her movement amount to xenophobia or afrophobia. Instead, she accused foreign nationals of being responsible for the high rate of crime in South Africa, adding that they are also serving as cheap labour and taking over jobs meant for the people of her country.

“We’re coming under attack from all across Africa for standing up for ourselves. And the quickest thing that they do, these other people from outside of South Africa, is to label us as xenophobic. You know, people who are not even in South Africa, who don’t even know what we’re going through, they don’t want to listen to what we’re complaining about,” she said.

“We’ve lived with people from outside South Africa, actually, for 32 years, 32 years in millions and millions of them, but if you walk right down the road, you’ll find that they now are taking over buildings, there’s prostitution, there’s drugs, there’s cartels, there’s mafias. Everything in this country is a fertile ground for criminals to thrive,” she fumed.

She added:

“So we’re not getting the best of the best when it comes to immigrants. We’re getting those immigrants who are running away from their countries because they know that they are criminal elements, and our government is just letting them be because they want to paint them as victims. They’re not victims.”

A Decade of Recurring Violence

The story notes that these protests have happened “almost every year for the past decade,” indicating a chronic pattern of xenophobic violence in South Africa. From the 2015 attacks on foreign nationals to the 2019 Johannesburg unrest and now the 2026 March-on-March-led protests, the country has struggled to contain waves of anti-immigrant sentiment.

Leaders across the African continent, from Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama to the African Union Commission, have repeatedly condemned these attacks. However, Ngobese-Zuma and her followers remain unmoved, arguing that African leaders do not understand the lived reality of ordinary South Africans.

What This Means for African Nationals

For Ghanaians, Nigerians, Zimbabweans, and other African nationals living in South Africa, March-on-March represents a direct threat. The group’s rhetoric has translated into action: businesses vandalised, individuals assaulted, and foreign nationals driven out of public facilities.

The Ghanaian government has issued travel advisories, and the Minority Caucus in Parliament has demanded presidential-level engagement with South African authorities. Meanwhile, victims like Emmanuel Asamoah — whose assault was widely circulated on social media — have become symbols of the crisis.

The Road Ahead

As March-on-March continues to gain momentum, questions remain about how South African authorities will respond. Ngobese-Zuma shows no sign of backing down, and her media background gives her a powerful platform to amplify her message.

Whether African leaders can persuade both the South African government and movements like March-on-March to embrace dialogue over violence remains to be seen. For now, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma stands as the face behind South Africa’s xenophobic protests — a radio presenter turned political firebrand who has become the nemesis of African nationals across the continent.

Welcome to our curated news roundup for this morning. We have gathered the most relevant stories from across Ghana today. Here are the top stories you need to know:

No Ghanaian Killed in Xenophobic Attacks – Envoy Debunks Viral Death Claims

Ghana’s Ambassador to South Africa has officially debunked viral social media claims suggesting that a Ghanaian national has been killed in the recent wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals. The envoy confirmed that while there have been incidents of harassment, assault, and business looting targeting Ghanaians in parts of South Africa—including KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, and Gauteng—no fatalities have been recorded among Ghanaian citizens. The clarification comes amid heightened tensions following the widely circulated assault on Ghanaian Emmanuel Asamoah. The embassy continues to advise Ghanaians in South Africa to exercise caution, limit non-essential movements, and remain in contact with diplomatic missions as South African authorities work to restore order.

Read the full story here

Accra Missing Couple: Police Arrest Two Suspects

The Ghana Police Service has arrested two suspects in connection with the mysterious disappearance of an Accra-based couple, whose identities have not yet been publicly released. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the two individuals are currently in custody assisting with investigations as detectives piece together the timeline leading up to the couple’s disappearance from their residence in the Greater Accra Region. Police have assured the public that all leads are being pursued and further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses. Residents in the community have expressed growing unease, and family members are appealing for any information that could lead to the safe return of their loved ones.

Read the full story here

Pastor, Two Others Remanded Over Attempt to Bury Baby Alive

A pastor and two other individuals have been remanded into police custody following their arrest for an alleged attempt to bury a baby alive. The suspects reportedly conspired to carry out the act under unclear circumstances before their plan was uncovered. The magistrate court remanded them to allow for further investigations into the disturbing allegations. The case has sparked public outrage and renewed discussions about child protection and the role of religious figures in community safety. The infant has reportedly been taken into protective care as authorities continue to build their case against the accused.
Read the full story here

Defence Ministry Denies Claims of Military Land Allocation to Ibrahim Mahama

The Ministry of Defence has officially denied recent claims suggesting that military land has been allocated to businessman Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former President John Dramani Mahama. In a statement, the Ministry described the allegations as false and urged the public to disregard them. The denial comes amid ongoing public debate over state assets and land allocation under the current administration. The Ministry reaffirmed that all military lands remain under the strict control of the Ghana Armed Forces and that no such allocation has been authorized.

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GSE Adds Nearly GH¢2.2 Billion in Single Day as MTN Ghana, ADB, and SIC Ignite Rally

The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) recorded a remarkable single-day gain of nearly GH¢2.2 billion, driven by a powerful rally in MTN Ghana, Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), and SIC Insurance Company. The surge represents one of the most significant daily market performances in recent months, signaling renewed investor confidence in Ghana’s equities market. Market analysts attribute the rally to strong corporate earnings reports and positive sentiment following the government’s progress on IMF programme targets. The benchmark GSE Composite Index closed significantly higher, with MTN Ghana alone contributing substantially to the market capitalization increase.

Read the full story here

5-Year-Old Miguel Ntsiful Battles Life-Threatening Brain Condition as Family Seeks GH₵53k for Urgent Surgery

A deeply distressing medical case involving five-year-old Miguel Ntsiful has come to light, with urgent calls for support as he battles a severe brain condition requiring critical care. Miguel has been diagnosed with a posterior fossa tumour with obstructive hydrocephalus, a serious neurological condition that demands urgent and specialised medical intervention. He has already undergone one surgery and is now preparing for a second, more critical procedure. Doctors and caregivers are seeking a total amount of GH₵53,000 to support the next stage of his treatment. A breakdown of expenses includes GH₵15,000 for Motor drill & drill bits, GH₵8,000 for Cranio/Neuroset, GH₵10,000 for Neuro Consumables, and other surgical and hospitalisation fees. The Multimedia Group Limited is championing the story to mobilise assistance for the child’s treatment and recovery. Donations can be made via UBA account number 02514278803503 (Multimedia Foundation) or by calling 0593038842.

Read the full story here

Adabraka Jailbreak: Police Seek Public Help to Track Three Fugitives

The Ghana Police Service has called on the public to assist in locating three inmates who remain on the run after escaping from custody at the Adabraka Police Station in Accra. The incident occurred on Sunday, April 26, 2026, when six suspects broke out of lawful detention, triggering a widespread security operation across the city. Authorities have since re-arrested three of the escapees, while efforts continue to track down the remaining individuals. Police have heightened security presence in various parts of Accra as part of an intensified manhunt. Investigations are ongoing to determine how the suspects managed to escape, with particular focus on potential security breaches at the station. The Police Service has assured that all tips will be treated with strict confidentiality and urged the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to the capture of the fugitives.

Read the full story here

Thursday, April 30, 2026. Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place.